Backlighting assembly for display for reducing cross-hatching

ABSTRACT

A backlight assembly for a display having a polarized transmission axis is provided including a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from the light source; and a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting the first brightness enhancement film, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of the display and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/933,982, filed on Jan. 31, 2014, entitled “BACKLIGHTING ASSEMBLY FOR DISPLAY FOR REDUCING CROSS-HATCHING,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a backlight assembly for a display, and more particularly, to a rearview assembly for a vehicle having a display using the inventive backlight assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a backlight assembly for a display having a polarized transmission axis is provided comprising: a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from the light source, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of the display; and a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting the first brightness enhancement film, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a display is provided comprising: a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from the light source; a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting the first brightness enhancement film; and a display element disposed to receive light from the second brightness enhancement film, the display element having a polarized transmission axis, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of the display element and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rearview assembly for a vehicle is provided comprising: a housing for attachment to the vehicle; a glass element disposed in the housing; and a display disposed behind the mirror element in the housing. The display comprises: a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from the light source; a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting the first brightness enhancement film, wherein the second direction is aligned relative to the first direction at an angle of between about 75 degrees and about 85 degrees; and a display element disposed to receive light from the second brightness enhancement film, the display element having a polarized transmission axis, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of the display element.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a rearview assembly having a display constructed according to the embodiments described herein;

FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the rearview assembly shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded top perspective view of the rearview assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a display and backlight assembly according to an embodiment described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a backlight assembly, particularly one adapted for use in a vehicle rearview assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer of the rearview assembly, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer of the rearview assembly. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Backlight assemblies for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are known which include one or more brightness enhancement films (BEFs). A BEF is used to enhance the brightness of the display in one dimension. Thus, to enhance brightness in both dimensions of the display, a first BEF is used to enhance the brightness in the vertical direction and a second BEF is used to enhance the brightness in the horizontal direction. A BEF generally includes a plurality of parallel prismatic elements that extend one direction on one surface of a film. To enhance brightness in a vertical direction, the BEF is arranged so that its prisms extend horizontally. To enhance brightness in a horizontal direction, the BEF is arranged so that its prisms extend vertically. Thus, when enhancing the brightness in both dimensions of the display, the BEFs are arranged with their prismatic elements at a 90 degree angle relative to one another. LCDs include polarizers such that light from a backlight is polarized and the LCD element selectively transmits light from the backlight based upon the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the element. Light that is transmitted through the LCD element has a polarization that is aligned with the polarized transmission axis of the LCD element. For example, if the polarized transmission axis of the LCD is vertical, vertically polarized light is selectively transmitted through the LCD. Likewise, if the polarized transmission axis of the LCD is horizontal, horizontally polarized light is selectively transmitted through the LCD.

A problem occurs in certain circumstances where two BEFs are arranged with their prismatic elements aligned with respective vertical and horizontal axes of an LCD (particularly an in-plane switching (IPS) type LCD) specifically when the polarized transmission axis is either vertical or horizontal. More specifically, a cross-hatching pattern can be seen consisting of bright and dark alternating squares. The embodiments described herein reduce this problem by rotating one of the BEFs by about 5 to 15 degrees relative to the polarized transmission axis of the LCD and can further reduce the problem by rotating both the BEFs relative to the polarized transmission axis of the LCD such that the BEFs are aligned with their prismatic elements substantially perpendicular to one another.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 show a rearview assembly 10 that includes a glass cover element, shown in the form of an optional mirror element 12, and a housing 30. Housing 30 is configured to be mounted via a mount 32 (FIG. 2) to a windscreen or header of a vehicle in the manner in which interior rearview mirror assemblies are typically mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, rearview assembly 10 includes a display module 18 positioned behind glass cover/mirror element 12 so as to project and display images therethrough. Rearview assembly 10 may also optionally include a bi-modal switch 200 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) configured to at least one of activate and deactivate the display module 18 and alter a position of the mirror element 12 to alternate between a first position and a second position. Pivoting the rearview assembly 10 when the display module 18 is activated can reduce unwanted reflections that detract from the displayed image. In both day and night time driving conditions, unwanted reflections can occur (e.g., backgrounds with high levels of ambient light, and headlamps when the reflected images thereof may not line up with the headlamps shown in the display module 18).

As shown in FIG. 2, the glass element 12 is generally planar, with an outer perimeter 46 and a border 48 around the outer perimeter 46. The border 48 may incorporate a chrome ring or other similar finish to conceal a front shield 14 and other elements located behind the glass element 12 in the rearview assembly 10, including without limitation a seal on an electrochromic unit, an applique, foam adhesive, or pad printing. The border 48 may extend from the outer perimeter 46 of the glass element 12 to an outer edge 50 of a display 22. Alternatively, the border 48 may be narrower and not reach from the outer perimeter 46 to the outer edge 50 of the display 22 along at least some portions of the border 48. The perimeter of the glass element 12 may also have a ground edge, a beveled edge, or be frameless.

The glass element 12 may be an electro-optic element or an element such as a prism. One non-limiting example of an electro-optic element is an electrochromic element including an electrochromic medium, which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. Typically, both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of them is electrochromic. It will be understood that regardless of its ordinary meaning, the term “electroactive” will be defined herein as a material that undergoes a modification in its oxidation state upon exposure to a particular electrical potential difference. Additionally, it will be understood that the term “electrochromic” will be defined herein, regardless of its ordinary meaning, as a material that exhibits a change in its extinction coefficient at one or more wavelengths upon exposure to a particular electrical potential difference. Electrochromic components, as described herein, include materials whose color or opacity are affected by electric current, such that when an electrical current is applied to the material, the color or opacity changes from a first phase to a second phase. The electrochromic component may be a single-layer, single-phase component, multi-layer component, or multi-phase component, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,572 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC LAYER AND DEVICES COMPRISING SAME,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,617 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC COMPOUNDS,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC MEDIUM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A PRE-SELECTED COLOR,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,471 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC COMPOUNDS,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,137 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC MEDIA FOR PRODUCING A PRESELECTED COLOR,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,916 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEM,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,912 entitled “NEAR INFRARED-ABSORBING ELECTROCHROMIC COMPOUNDS AND DEVICES COMPRISING SAME,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,369 entitled “COUPLED ELECTROCHROMIC COMPOUNDS WITH PHOTOSTABLE DICATION OXIDATION STATES,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,620 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC MEDIA WITH CONCENTRATION-ENHANCED STABILITY, PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF AND USE IN ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,072 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICE;” and International Patent Application Nos. PCT/US98/05570 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC POLYMERIC SOLID FILMS, MANUFACTURING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES USING SUCH SOLID FILMS, AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING SUCH SOLID FILMS AND DEVICES,” PCT/EP98/03862 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC POLYMER SYSTEM,” and PCT/US98/05570 entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC POLYMERIC SOLID FILMS, MANUFACTURING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES USING SUCH SOLID FILMS, AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING SUCH SOLID FILMS AND DEVICES,” which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The glass element 12 may also be any other element having partially reflective, partially transmissive properties. To provide electric current to the glass element 12, electrical elements are provided on opposing sides of the element to generate an electrical potential therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 2, rearview assembly 10 may further include a front shield 14 and a rear shield 16 that together function to shield the display module 18 from radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation and to provide support for the glass element 12 and the display module 18. The front and rear shields 14 and 16 are formed from one or more materials which are suitable to block RF radiation, including without limitation, steel. The display module 18 is disposed behind the front shield 14, with a display 22 viewable through an opening in the front shield 14. The components of display module 18 are described below with reference to FIG. 3.

The display 22 may be generally planar, with the outer edge 50 defining a front surface 78. The front surface 78 of the display 22 can be shaped to correspond to and fit within the shape of the viewing area of the rearview assembly 10. Alternatively, the display 22 may have a front surface 78 which fits within but is not complementary to the viewing area, for example, where the front surface 78 of the display 22 is generally rectangular and the front surface of the glass element 12 has a contoured outer perimeter 46. The distance between the outer edge 50 of the display 22 and the outer perimeter 46 of the glass element 12 is about 9 mm or less along at least a portion of the outer edge 50. In one embodiment, the display 22 has a viewable front surface 78 area, which is about 56 to about 70 percent of the viewing area of the glass element 12.

A glare sensor 102 may be provided in a location which receives light through the glass element 12, and which is not behind the display 22. The glare sensor 102 receives light from head lamps of a trailing vehicle, and measures information regarding the likely glare visible on the glass element 12 and communicates this information to the rearview assembly 10 so that the rearview assembly 10 can be optimized to allow viewing of the display 22 through the glass element 12. The glare sensor 102 could also be packaged at least partially within the housing 30 of the rearview assembly 10 and have a light guide which is configured to propagate light to the glare sensor 102. The glare sensor 102 could also be an imager on a rear portion of the vehicle, wherein a signal representative of the received light is communicated from the glare sensor 102 to the rearview assembly 10.

Additional details of the rearview assembly shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/494,909 entitled “DISPLAY MIRROR ASSEMBLY,” filed on Sep. 24, 2014, on behalf of Ethan Lee et al., and in United States Application Publication No. US 2014/0268355 A1, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a display module 18. As shown, a light source in the form of an LED light engine 100 is provided with a diffuser 103 positioned at an exit aperture of LED light engine 100 so as to diffuse the light exiting the LEDs. LED light engine 100 may be a direct backlight or an edge-lit light guide. A first BEF 104 is provided adjacent diffuser 103 and has a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction. First BEF 104 is positioned to receive diffused light emitted from the light source 100. A second BEF 106 is provided having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction. Second BEF 106 is positioned to receive light exiting first BEF 104. Display 22 is disposed to receive light from second BEF 106 and has a polarized transmission axis. The first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of display 22 and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. For example, the first direction may extend at an angle of about 8 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of display 22 and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The term “substantially perpendicular” means between 89 to 91 degrees. The polarized transmission axis of a display may be readily determined by rotating a polarizer with a known transmission axis at the output side of the display and determining the angle at which the transmission is the greatest, at which point the transmission axis of the display and the transmission axis of the polarizer are aligned. The phrase “between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset” it is intended to mean (1) between about +5 degrees and about +15 degrees offset or (2) between about −5 degrees and about −15 degrees offset.

According to one example, BEFs 104 and 106 may each be a 90-50 BEF available from 3M Corporation, and display 22 may be an IPS LCD. LED light engine 100 may take various forms, such as a direct LED light engine, such as disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0096937 A1 entitled “VEHICLE REARVIEW ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A DISPLAY FOR DISPLAYING VIDEO CAPTURED BY A CAMERA AND USER INSTRUCTIONS,” filed on Aug. 18, 2008, on behalf of Frederick T. Bauer et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, or an edge-illuminated LED light engine such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,878,882 entitled “SEGMENTED EDGE-LIT BACKLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR A DISPLAY,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The cross-hatching may be further reduced by providing an anti-glare polarizer, such as a Nitto Denko AGT1 anti-glare polarizer, on the front surface of the display. Such an anti-glare polarizer further reduces cross-hatching without reducing the intensity of the display.

Although disclosed with respect to a display having essentially the same full size as the mirror element, the present invention may be used in displays of various sizes whether included in a rearview assembly or not.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of a rearview assembly 10, as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and/or user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method used in using or constructing a classification system. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, the methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backlight assembly for a display having a polarized transmission axis comprising: a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from said light source, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of the display; and a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting said first brightness enhancement film, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
 2. The backlight assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a diffuser positioned between said light source and said first brightness enhancement film.
 3. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of about 8 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of the display.
 4. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein said light source is an LED light engine.
 5. A display assembly comprising: the backlight assembly of claim 1; and a display element disposed to receive light from said second brightness enhancement film.
 6. The display of claim 5, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.
 7. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising: a housing for attachment to the vehicle; a mirror element disposed in said housing; and a display assembly disposed behind said mirror element in said housing, said display assembly comprising: the backlight assembly of claim 1; and a display element disposed to receive light from said second brightness enhancement film.
 8. A display comprising: a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from said light source; a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting said first brightness enhancement film; and a display element disposed to receive light from said second brightness enhancement film, said display element having a polarized transmission axis, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of said display element and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
 9. The display of claim 8 and further comprising a diffuser positioned between said light source and said first brightness enhancement film.
 10. The display of claim 8, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of about 8 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of said display element.
 11. The display of claim 8, wherein said display element is a liquid crystal display.
 12. The display of claim 11, wherein said liquid crystal display is an IPS liquid crystal display.
 13. A rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising: a housing for attachment to the vehicle; a glass element disposed in said housing; and a display disposed behind said mirror element in said housing, said display comprising: a light source for emitting light; a first brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction, and positioned to receive light emitted from said light source; a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting said first brightness enhancement film; and a display element disposed to receive light from said second brightness enhancement film, said display element having a polarized transmission axis, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of said display element.
 14. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein said glass element is a mirror element.
 15. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein said mirror element is partially reflective and partially transmissive.
 16. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein said mirror element is an electrochromic mirror element.
 17. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the first direction extends at an angle of about 8 degrees offset from the polarized transmission axis of said display element.
 18. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
 19. The rearview assembly of claim 13 and further comprising a diffuser positioned between said light source and said first brightness enhancement film.
 20. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein said light source is an LED light engine. 